OFW Rep. Marissa Magsino on Friday hailed the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for its efforts to modernize with the forthcoming launch of a digital app containing the OFW Pass, the digital alternative to the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).
Magsino said the OFW Pass will streamline the application process for the OECs of Filipino workers abroad.
The DMW is working on the final stages of its modernization program with the imminent launch of a digital app, which is envisioned as the digital alternative to the OEC.
Magsino recalled that during her dialogue with OFWs in Indonesia last October, “the OFWs raised their complaints against the OEC application process: the long and tedious process occasioned by back-and-forth dealings with concerned agencies; the accompanying exorbitant expenses for the prescribed requirements; the insufficiency of appointment schedules and personnel assigned to process the applications vis-à-vis the volume of applications; and misinterpretation and misapplication of regulations by some frontline government personnel who demand additional documents over and above what the rules only require.”
Magsino said she conveyed these to Congress in a privilege speech last November 21, 2022 and through a letter to DMW. “I am happy that DMW is responding to the clamor of our OFWs to streamline and digitize the OEC process. Previously, DMW informed us that some mandatory requirements have been removed and, now, the digital platform, OFW Pass, is in its final stages,” Magsino said.
“While we recognize the importance of the OEC in verifying the legal status of an OFW and as a crucial tool for protection against illegal recruitment and human smuggling, our OFWs simply request for a well-organized, clear, and straightforward process where they can obtain their OEC,” she added.
Magsino said OFWs deserve enough as “they contribute USD 36.14 billion in remittances or 8.9 percent of our GDP.”
Magsino expressed belief that the DMW modernization program will be carried out effectively and efficiently.
She noted the current version of the OFW Pass application has been met with frustrations from users, highlighting the pressing need for improvement. Comments online voice concerns and disappointment by OFWs who feel let down by the challenging user interface of the application.
She urged DMW and DICT to look into the reported issues such as difficulty in logging in, repeated system glitches, and errors in field entries.
“While we appreciate the efforts made thus far, we have to conduct a thorough review of the application in light of initial comments received. The final review and tweaking of DMW through DICT’s help will ensure that the digital application will become more user-friendly, will provide smoother transaction, and will align with the expectations of our OFWs. We are, after all, doing this innovation for our OFWs’ benefit so we have to consider their initial feedback,” Magsino stressed.
